Following the release of the statement on 9 February 2011, the department met with the Southern African Poultry Association to iron out some differences regarding the findings of the brine injection report this week.
The meeting agreed that further engagements with the industry must be expedited so that the parties can be on the same wavelength regarding the interpretation of the contents of the Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act No. 40 of 2000) and the Agricutural Products Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990) while the final research project report on brine injections is being compiled.
In this meeting the parties agreed that there is a need for the department to regulate the industry, as it should all agricultural industries and that the industry has reiterated that it believes its compliance to the latter and spirit of these acts. The meeting identified a need to have both sides coming together to look into the two pieces of legislation as a matter of urgency.
The department will continue to monitor and administer the Agricultural Products Standards Act, 1990 and the Meat Safety Act, 2000, which regulate the quality and safety of poultry meat respectively.
For further information contact:
Noncedo Vutula
Tel: 012 319 7348
Cell: 082 523 4904
